Crimson || Tom Riddle [1]

𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖞 𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗

Alone
Burna Boy

"When my whole world is set on fire, don't leave me alone"

"I see it in your eyes, I see in your eyes the betrayal and the lies,
"You've been pullin' out knives from your behind"

•••

Arabella and Tom had developed a routine. It was an unspoken thing — neither of them admitted that it was, in fact, a routine, yet they found themselves drawn to it week after week, ever since the first duel between them in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Each of them knew that every Wednesday at exactly 6pm, they were to meet in the Room of Requirements. There were little words exchanged when they duelled here, week after week. Each duel was held in different locations, ranging from the chill of snowy mountains to the heat of deserts.

For Arabella, these sessions became her window into Tom's mind. She observed how he approached challenges, how he adapted his tactics, and the moments when his cool exterior cracked under pressure. It fascinated her to see the depths of his skill, his hunger for power, and how far he was willing to go to get what he wanted. Arabella thrived on the mental challenge he posed, relishing the opportunity to match his ability, and exceed it. Though she would never admit this to anyone.

Tom, on the other hand, found himself drawn to Arabella's unpredictability and her ability to surprise him each new session. He studied her spells, dissecting their mechanics and the underlying magic that made them effective. He admired her ability to think her on her feet, to improvise in the heat of a duel, and to manipulate situations to her advantage. Tom saw in Arabella a similar spirit — someone who shared his thirst for knowledge and mastery over magic, albeit through different means and with different goals. Though he would never admit this to anyone.

They never openly admitted how much they looked forward to these sessions, how they relished the intensity of their exchanges, or how each duel left them thinking long after the spells had faded. It was their own little secret, a place where their goals and talents intertwined without the pressure of their images towards the Death Eaters or the baggage of their past. No matter what happened between them outside of these meetings, nothing here would change — they could always look forward to their routine, even if they never uttered a word of it.

So, as she did every Wednesday, Arabella patiently stood outside the room at 5:59pm and heard Tom approach. Today it was her turn to select a location, and she already had a scene in mind. When Tom arrived at exactly 6pm, she gave him a small nod. As she was turning around, to pace in front of the doors, Tom spoke, which was unusual.

"I have an idea."

Arabella spun to face him, surprised. "An idea?" she echoed, her curiosity piqued.

Tom's expression was thoughtful, his eyes gleaming with a hint of delight. "Yes," he replied. "Something inspired by your drawing."